Expectations High for Coming Year

National Shooting Sports Federations (NSSF) informs about the results of 2012 SHOT Show.  Energized by unprecedented sales nationwide, firearms industry professionals turned out in record numbers to NSSF's 2012 SHOT Show, and many made a point of saying "the best is yet to come." "It's a wonderful time to be in our industry," said Sandy Chisholm of handgun manufacturer North American Arms.

"We've seen tremendous enthusiasm on the part of sellers and buyers, and we see the prospect of a very good year ahead." Many agreed with that assessment of the market and of the SHOT Show. The largest trade show of its kind in the world and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, a city of trade shows, the SHOT Show set an overall attendance record of more than 61,000, including new highs for buyers at 36,383 and media at 2,466. Though show organizers deliberately reduced the size of the show to better accommodate attendees at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, still some 1,600 exhibitors filled booth space covering 630,000 net square feet. The show attracted industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries.

In his 34 years in the industry, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said he has never seen the industry more unified. During the SHOT Show's annual State of the Industry event, Sanetti said that membership in NSSF, the industry's trade association, is more than double what it was just five years ago. "Together we comprise a record number of more than 7,000 of America's favorite firearms and ammunition manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, retailers, shooting ranges, gun clubs, conservation groups, outdoor media, safety instructors, and many others, who share our avocation and our passion for our industry and our uniquely American way of life," Sanetti said. "Our membership has never been stronger or more engaged. We have had great success in recent years solidifying our industry's base of support."

Source and photoes: National Shooting Sports Federations